Happy Birthday Margaret!

May you have a birthday as wonderful as you are!  It is such a privilege to have gotten to know you.  I remember with great fondness your visit to Ottawa.  Your sense of adventure and fun is inspiring.  I hope that the coming year is full of enough adventure and fun to keep you busy.  I am sending you hugs and the warmest wishes for your birthday.

Love

Mary Katherine (Mississauga, ON)

Happy, Happy Birthday Margaret

My dearest Margaret,
You are the most vivacious, vibrant and energetic person I know. You make me laugh with all the funny stuff you forward. I am so happy to be part of this "fambly" and knowing you has been nothing short of wonderful. I love the stories you tell about you and Mike and your family. I truly hope this next year to meet you in person. Have a wonderful birthday...wish I could be there, but know I am there in spirit. With much love, Helen (Running Springs, California)

Happy birthday to YOUUUU, Ma Bunny....

Ah, Margaret. You are the youngest 75 year old I know. It has been four years since the sisterhood of the Musketeers banded together, and we have truly become "fambly". It has been such a joy to be with you and Mike in Des Moines, Sarasota, and Chatham (MA). You bring light and happiness with you wherever you are, but especially you bring FUN! You are kind and thoughtful; your sending me a little Scotch when I needed it most following my surgery was a giggle I sorely needed. The cartoon about Jake the dog ("He may not understand the words, but he understands the feeling!") is posted by my computer and makes me smile everytime I look at it. I hope you and Mike continue to live life to the fullest and that our lives will cross again. Love and hugs, Sylvia

Happy Birthday, Ma Bunny!!

Dearest Ma Bunny,

So how could we let your special day go by without remembering the Des Moines get-together and the Spam Mobile?

Happy, happy birthday, dear lady. May it be the beginning of the very best years of your life.

With great affection,

Barbara

To My "New York Mom"

Margaret,
I can't even begin to express to you the impact you have had on my life.
You took an active interest in me and fostered my creativity and passion for theater in a way no one had in my youth. From taking me to my first ever theater audition to driving the 2 hour round trip to play practice in Petoskey several times a week, to simply being my friend ,you made all the difference in my childhood and teenage years. When you and Mike moved to New York the year I moved to college I was crushed but was thrilled to have a new pen pal. You would send me "spare 20's" and newspaper articles you thought I would enjoy, you even extended a spare room for me whenever I wanted to visit or stay. You flew in for my graduation ceremony which meant and still means the world to me. I stayed in your attic for a month while you and Mike patiently helped me look for jobs and figure out what my next step for me. Now that I live in New York, I love and look forward to my visits upstate to see my "New York parents". I love you so much and appreciate everything you have done for me. You are such a special, unique and FUN woman. Happy Birthday Margaret!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! love, elizabeth

Happy 75th Margaret!

After four years together "online", it seems like I've known you forever -- and still have hopes that we'll have a chance to meet in person before another birthday rolls around. We've shared so much, and you've always been so upbeat, so encouraging, such fun, that when you're in "travel mode" and away from the computer there is something definitely missing from the day!

I hope your family and friends who are geographically close have a wonderful, fun-filled celebration with you, and take LOTS OF PICTURES! This blog is such fun, and I thank Sue for setting it up and posting such a great collection of pictures too.

Fondly,

Sharon Scott
Moscow, Idaho

I love you Mom.

Happy Birthday. You're the best. You are my template for how I live my life, and how I treat my own son. Your patience and caring is legend to so many friends but as your kid I've always seen it as Sue and Kay and Dad all know, we all know - it's always there and is such a comfort to us.
Trying to think back on one or two pivotal moments that characterize you is really hard. I think if it's anything for me, it's that you made life so pleasing and 'easy' to handle. Our little trials were small in comparison to our friends largely because of the attitude we developed by watching you and emulating how you lived. You've been so true and fair to us (and others) our whole lives. Peter loves you dearly as you know and the bit of you that's in him serves him well as I watch him go through his life. He shares that same joy for living that you showed us and cultivated in all of us. Thank you for that Mom. Janet, Peter, and I love you so much.

Steve

Happy Birthday Margaret,

You'll soon be catching up with me! How did we get old so soon and smart so late?

I'm so glad Larry stopped at your house when you moved to Mackinaw to see if a "ham" lived there. Consequently I got the chance to meet a girl that brightened up my life with her friendly smile, helpful ways and upbeat attitude. Any one else that came in contact with her felt the same way. We all miss you. I have many fond memories and will cherish them always.

Love, Donna

We love you Mom! (part II)

Mom...always up for anything!
(Margaret, Ildeu, Kay, Anaje and Liani after a soaking wet water ride at Cedar Point)
Mom...always makes us smile!
Mom...always helping to support us!
Mom...ALWAYS loving us!




HAPPY
BIRTHDAY
MOM!

We love you so much,
Kay, Ildeu, Anaje and Liani

We love you Mom!

Margaret's 3 kids, Sue, Kay and Steve - 1970 - Mom, you were the center of our universe, we looked to you for advice, compassion, knowledge and care. And you were ALWAYS there for us. We thought(and think) you are the BEST Mom in the world, and all of our friends think you're the coolest too! You filled our childhood with laughter, art, music, fun, adventure and the greatest love we've ever known.

Margaret's 3 grandkids, Liani, Anaje and Peter - 2005 - And now you are the BEST Grandma! (we have our sources!)

Margaret with her 2 daughters - 1966 You have always been vibrant, intelligent, funny, pretty, loving, creative, thoughtful, outgoing, committed, positive attitude, resourceful, patient, endless generosity...in more ways than I can mention, you are an awesome Mom.
Margaret with her 2 granddaughters - 2002...and a super awesome Grandma!

Happy Birthday from Ian, Emily, Michele and Harry

A tale of two Margarets...

Margaret,

My longest living friend and of course family... Our best wishes to you on this auspicious occassion. I have two tales to tell.
First, an interesting tale that makes me cringe when I think of it. As a young lad my older sister took great delite in challenging me to experience new and interesting things, whether it was to see how far I could walk in a circle around the house on Princeton, wear a replica of an outhouse on my head or other assorted tasks... the darkest challenge however was the challenge to eat all sorts of chocolate covered bugs on my birthday. Each year the bugs and the "dare" to eat them became more exotic. Starting from ants, to flies, to grasshoppers, chocolate worm cake and finally on my 12th birthday for no less than $20 I was challenged to eat a can of baked catapillars (imported from Africa). They were kind of crunchy as I remember. After just one, my sister could clearly see that she had crossed over her own line common decency and was horrified enough to beg me to stop. Of course I ate them all just to rub it in.

The second tale is a bit more palitable... on my 14th birthday Margaret presented me with a large box containing 14 dozen chocolate chip cookies! I instantly became the most popular kid at school, launching (read: 14 dozen bribes) a political career, getting a seat on the Junior High Student Council. Later when I went off to college Margaret was there at the send off, to give me 40 lbs. of M & M's in a large glass jar which, again helped me become the most popular kid on campus and launced a second political career. Without these two events in my life who knows what would have become of me. My sister is the greatest.

With all of our love, Michele and I wish you the very best on the second half of your timeless journey... Harry and Michele

Birthday Greetings

Hi there cousin of mine. Congratulations on achiving this mile stone. I`m sure that there is plenty more stones to be turned over yet. Hope you have a great day.
Very best wishes from Australia Down Under
Stuart and Jill

Happy 75th. I am glad I won't be that old for another three weeks. Here's a picture from our high school senior trip with you and I in it. I think I got the original from you some years ago.

It's hard to believe we've made it to being "old folks". It seems not that long ago we were in high school wondering if we'd ever be as old as the thirty-year-olds. Keep up the good work and keep that sense of humor.

Happy Birthday

from Doug and Mary Kelly

Margaret

Happy Birthday Margaret!

Happy Birthday Margaret!! Or should I say my 'adopted mom'? I first met Margaret and Mike through Masterworks Chorale and through my many calls to tune my classroom piano. :) Ever since it has been many wonderful stories and JOKES!! that have brought us closer. My greatest memory would have to be this past Christmas, while I was working at my 2nd job, Margaret and Mike brought me a surprise of cookies, cheese, candy and warmth all neatly packed into a wonderful container. I don't know if it was the good baking, the surprise of it all, or the thought that there is someone who cares even when I am so far from home; but that small moment is a wonderful memory.

Margaret! 75 looks great on you! I just hope and pray that I look as good as you do when I am your age! (Mike, You're a lucky man! but you already knew that!)

Happy Birthday Margaret!
Love, Eva

Happy Birthday Margaret

I said there is NO way that you are 75! I received this wonderful notice from Sue and immediately remembered the wonderful adventures and experiences you have brought to my life. I will always remember our adventure to Stratford on Avon, making drift wood wreaths, all the wonderful new food experiences, and being blessed with being able to house sit for you. I will also treasure you for being there when I needed to hold onto a shirt tail when Brian became ill. You are a beautiful and amazing woman and I wish you many more adventures!!

Happy Birthday Margaret.
Cate.

Happy 75- Mom of mine!

Wow, Happy Birthday to you. How wonderful and what a great way to celebrate with all your scattered friends and family and "fambly" It has been great getting to know you and especially having you stop by my little corner of the world on a pass through. Hope we will meet up again- soon!! Dotter, Heather

Graphologically Speaking

Happy Birthday Miss Margaret!!

Graphologically speaking meeting you and Mike at that conference in Cleveland was the greatest event in my handwriting career. Mentally gymnastic, endlessly creative, talented beyond words, joyfully filled with more energy than a soccer team and one of the most wonderful friends in the world, my family and I celebrate this fabulous 75th with you.

Thank you for joining us in such exciting family events in Michigan, Massachusetts and most recently in New York City. When I figure out how to attach pictures maybe I will add a few to this greeting.

Just because you are 75 doesn't mean you can retire again. Pagey turned 95 in February and wants to make marmalade and horehound with you so can't rest on your laurels. She joins us in sending you birthday wishes and great joy for a fantastic celebration.

A big birthday hug from

Ruth & Peter, Sarah & Jess, Nick & Mary Alice, and Pagey

Dr. K would send his respects as well!!

From your husband

Hi Sweetheart:
Let me be the first to congratulate you on making it to 75 years young. And I do mean young! You are the youngest 75er I know, and as I try my hardest every year, I still can't catch up to you. This is my first blog message ever, thanks Sue for setting this up. To everyone this is going out to, send your birthday greetings to Margaret and as Sue said, include a little anecdote, story, memory or anything that comes to mind. I am so proud to have been in Margaret's life for 47 of her 75 years (man, is that OLD) its been a great run. Happy Birthday, dearie.....Mike

Aberdeen 2005

Margaret, her Aunt Flory and cousin Laura in Aberdeen, 2005

In Australia 2006

Beautiful Margaret in Australia during she and Mike's 2006 trip down under